Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 153
153 Chapter 98 Al-Bayyinah + (Revealed before Hijrah) ∗ Date of Revelation and Context Scholars differ about the time of the revelation of this S u rah. Ibn Mardawaih reports ‘ A ’ishah as saying that it was revealed at Mecca, while according to Ibn ‘Abb a s, it was revealed in the early Medinite period. After taking all relevant facts into consideration, the majority of scholars have adhered to the view attributed to ‘ A ’ishah. The preceding several Chapters had dealt with the important subject of revelation of the Qur’ a n and its incomparable beauty and excellence. The present S u rah deals with the change that the Qur’ a n was intended to bring about. At the very outset it states that the people of the Book and the idolaters would have continued to grope in the dark and to lead a life of sin and iniquity if the Qur’ a n had not been revealed. It is the Holy Prophet who brought them out of the darkness of doubt and disbelief and led them to the path of right beliefs and righteous conduct. ∗ As mentioned in the above introduction to this S ū rah scholars differ about the time of the revelation of the S ū rah. The editor gives preference to the views of those who believe that the S u rah was revealed before Hijrah. However, according to the latest scholarship, based on very conclusive evidence, the S ū rah was revealed after Hijrah. This has been amply substantiated by the late Hadrat Mirz ā Bash ī rudd ī n Ma h m ū d Ahmad, Second Successor of the Promised Messiah (May Allah be pleased with him), in his Urdu Commentary of the Qur’ ā n. [Publisher]